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Article: White precious metals: continuing his series, in this article Schloetter's Brian Hitchin takes a look at Palladium, Platinum, Rhodium and Ruthenium, considering both the types of electrolyte and deposit properties. (Special Feature).
- Article from:
- Finishing
- Article date:
- August 1, 2002
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Turret West Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Palladium electrolytes were almost totally ignored until the ill conceived EU nickel directive for costume jewellery found a niche for barrier coating over acid copper for the metal a few years ago.
Palladium nickel alloys have been specified by one or two electronics manufactures before this as a low cost replacement for gold deposits on connectors but very often requiring a gold strike under the Palladium nickel together with a gold top coat. As soon as the metal became in demand for nickel free costume jewellery applications the price rocketed and made Palladium nickel plating uneconomic.
Palladium deposits tend to oxidise when used as a final finish ...